K1200R/R1150R Comparisons
Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 1:25 am
I considered trading in my Ferro Blue Roadster initially because I didn't like the rear-end feel. After test-riding the K its capabilities compelled me to look at the 1150 as unfit for my type of duty. I didn't need a rocket ship, but I did need a stable freeway mount.
What was I asking of the R?
Too much, I'm afraid. At 6' 2", 270 lbs, I realize that any motorcycle will work harder to propel me down the freeway and to stop me safely than for someone 100 lbs lighter. On the other hand, I expected the rear suspension's preload adjustment to provide the necessary ride height and static sag so that the bike felt balanced. After about 3000 miles on the odometer, I knew that I needed a new shock--the factory unit was mushy and saggy to the point that when I traveled down the freeway at 80 mph I felt that the rear end just wanted to squat down. This lightened the load on the front wheel, making for witchy handling, especially when windy. I wasn't enjoying the ride.
After topping up the preload reservoir and purging any air bubbles from the circuit, I enlisted the help of Jim Lindemann in Campbell, CA to revalve and respring the stock shock (yes, he can perform this service.) I went through three iterations of this process, each time going with an stiffer spring. The factory unit comes with a 900 lb spring. Eventually we put on a 1500 lb, but the result was largely the same...the rear end just squatted so that I couldn't naturally lean forward into the wind no matter how much I cranked up the preload.
Was I going to invest over $1300 to install aftermarket shocks? I wanted to, but I knew that I might experience the same rear end insufficiency if Lindemann couldn't solve the problem and I still had a hot cat radiating heat through my preload reservoir, steel braided line and terminator-sprung shock. A cat eliminator or collector box would yield more power (not much) and help convey heat away from the afflicted Showa unit, but I began to doubt that $2500-worth of "trick" components would transform my Roadster into becoming the stuff of dreams.
One test ride on the K1200R made me realize that I was wasting my time with the R. I'm not chanting the mantra, "But nothing is as balanced and leans like a Roadster" anymore. Sure, someone lighter than me might not need the sportbike stiffness of the K bike to feel composed on the Roadster and lean it beautifully, but then again, with ESA and WP shocks, better units to begin with, I can adjust the preload and stiffness for any road surface instantly, and guess what? The suspension works throughout its range like it should, and with the low center of gravity, feels stable! Hoo-rah!
The ergos are better for me, too. My hips and knees needed stretching after longer rides on the R with a stock seat. Admittedly, a Sargent seat
works wonders to alleviate gluteal fatigue and I didn't get one, but the seating position on the K felt immediately comfortable, like I have more leg room. Indeed, my legs feel straighter (narrower seat?) Of course, the seat is harder on the K, but the torso is canted forward just enough to balance weight on the butt and wrists, affording an upright posture
Performance comparisons between these machines remind me that their engines live different lives. While the R pulls smoothly from 3000 rpm, it isn't the flying machine of the two. And while the K thrusts forward with a sweet growl above four grand, below that it just feels buzzy and sounds like an old Kawasaki. My Roadster vibrated and made my hands a little sore after a while. The K feels smoother overall, but my left hand's tingling and numb after only a few miles. I let go of the grip momentarily and my hand is back to normal. In fact, the new bike's performance is marred by extremely rough running above 6k rpm and snatchy throttle response down low. The test bike didn't exhibit this behavior, so I'm hoping V 7.0 isn't installed yet, but it's too late to recover the sidescoop BMW emblem that flew off while flying down the freeway at 6k rpm. Yes, it vibrates badly at that range. I hope it gets fixed along with the oil pressure indicator feature as part of the on-board computer. BMW riders may love gadgets, but space-age has its price sometimes. With half the horsepower and technology, malfunctions seem unlikely given the simpler design of the R, which feels like it would run forever. But could I live with it that long?
I loved the low-end character of the R1150R, but gimme the K any day. The bottom line: as the R felt like it was fighting to buck the wind for me at freeway speeds, so the K will effortlessly generate sonic booms through the atmosphere like an F-16.
What was I asking of the R?
Too much, I'm afraid. At 6' 2", 270 lbs, I realize that any motorcycle will work harder to propel me down the freeway and to stop me safely than for someone 100 lbs lighter. On the other hand, I expected the rear suspension's preload adjustment to provide the necessary ride height and static sag so that the bike felt balanced. After about 3000 miles on the odometer, I knew that I needed a new shock--the factory unit was mushy and saggy to the point that when I traveled down the freeway at 80 mph I felt that the rear end just wanted to squat down. This lightened the load on the front wheel, making for witchy handling, especially when windy. I wasn't enjoying the ride.
After topping up the preload reservoir and purging any air bubbles from the circuit, I enlisted the help of Jim Lindemann in Campbell, CA to revalve and respring the stock shock (yes, he can perform this service.) I went through three iterations of this process, each time going with an stiffer spring. The factory unit comes with a 900 lb spring. Eventually we put on a 1500 lb, but the result was largely the same...the rear end just squatted so that I couldn't naturally lean forward into the wind no matter how much I cranked up the preload.
Was I going to invest over $1300 to install aftermarket shocks? I wanted to, but I knew that I might experience the same rear end insufficiency if Lindemann couldn't solve the problem and I still had a hot cat radiating heat through my preload reservoir, steel braided line and terminator-sprung shock. A cat eliminator or collector box would yield more power (not much) and help convey heat away from the afflicted Showa unit, but I began to doubt that $2500-worth of "trick" components would transform my Roadster into becoming the stuff of dreams.
One test ride on the K1200R made me realize that I was wasting my time with the R. I'm not chanting the mantra, "But nothing is as balanced and leans like a Roadster" anymore. Sure, someone lighter than me might not need the sportbike stiffness of the K bike to feel composed on the Roadster and lean it beautifully, but then again, with ESA and WP shocks, better units to begin with, I can adjust the preload and stiffness for any road surface instantly, and guess what? The suspension works throughout its range like it should, and with the low center of gravity, feels stable! Hoo-rah!
The ergos are better for me, too. My hips and knees needed stretching after longer rides on the R with a stock seat. Admittedly, a Sargent seat
works wonders to alleviate gluteal fatigue and I didn't get one, but the seating position on the K felt immediately comfortable, like I have more leg room. Indeed, my legs feel straighter (narrower seat?) Of course, the seat is harder on the K, but the torso is canted forward just enough to balance weight on the butt and wrists, affording an upright posture
Performance comparisons between these machines remind me that their engines live different lives. While the R pulls smoothly from 3000 rpm, it isn't the flying machine of the two. And while the K thrusts forward with a sweet growl above four grand, below that it just feels buzzy and sounds like an old Kawasaki. My Roadster vibrated and made my hands a little sore after a while. The K feels smoother overall, but my left hand's tingling and numb after only a few miles. I let go of the grip momentarily and my hand is back to normal. In fact, the new bike's performance is marred by extremely rough running above 6k rpm and snatchy throttle response down low. The test bike didn't exhibit this behavior, so I'm hoping V 7.0 isn't installed yet, but it's too late to recover the sidescoop BMW emblem that flew off while flying down the freeway at 6k rpm. Yes, it vibrates badly at that range. I hope it gets fixed along with the oil pressure indicator feature as part of the on-board computer. BMW riders may love gadgets, but space-age has its price sometimes. With half the horsepower and technology, malfunctions seem unlikely given the simpler design of the R, which feels like it would run forever. But could I live with it that long?
I loved the low-end character of the R1150R, but gimme the K any day. The bottom line: as the R felt like it was fighting to buck the wind for me at freeway speeds, so the K will effortlessly generate sonic booms through the atmosphere like an F-16.
. nothing else to say But enjoy!!!!!
